Your Teaching Doc

Teachers: before you spend another night making your classroom “perfect”... stop. 🌿

Your students do not need a Pinterest-perfect room.

They need a space that feels welcoming.
They need a teacher who has energy left to actually teach.
And you do not need to be cutting bulletin board letters at 10:47 p.m. 😅

So as we head back to school, I’m wishing you:

🌱 Good kids
🌱 Supportive coworkers
🌱 A copier that behaves
🌱 At least ONE uninterrupted lunch

And maybe... one less thing to create from scratch.

I made this new Plant Bunting + Borders Bulletin Board Kit for exactly that reason. Print it and go, or customize the bunting in Canva if you want to make it your own.

But mostly — welcome back, teachers. I hope this year is kind to you. 💚

🌿 Plant Bulletin Board Kit link is in the comments.

I posted my first Real Talk Autism video today.

It’s an honest overview of why structure matters so much for autistic learners - at home and in the classroom.

If this is a space you’re navigating, you’re welcome to watch here:
👉

Real Talk Autism: Why Structure Changes Everything Real Talk Autism is a space for parents, teachers, and caregivers who want practical, compassionate support for autistic learners.In this first video, I expl...

🔥 The Year of the Fire Horse carries themes of courage, movement, and growth.
It’s a powerful moment to talk about fresh starts and inner strength.
✨ Every learner deserves a new beginning that feels seen.

Wishing you warmth, rest, and safe shelter through the snow ❄️

Why “What’s Next” matters 💬

Visual schedules do more than organize a day...
they create safety, reduce anxiety, and support independence.

For many neurodivergent learners, knowing what comes next
makes the present feel manageable.

What part of the day is hardest for your learners right now?

Cheers to 2026! Here’s to fresh starts, steady growth, and the incredible impact you make every day!! You are appreciated!

A quick tip to help for the holiday season!

substackcdn.com

I finally put words to a piece of my story today - growing up “different,” finding my voice, and the neurodiverse learners who helped shape it.

If you raise, teach, support, or are a beautifully wired human, this one is for you. 💛

🔗 Read it here:
https://my.linkpod.site/Kid-in-the-Back-of-the-Room

Calling all budding scientists, teachers and … you don’t want to miss this!!!

🧪🐚 Milford Lab Open House – Dive Into Discovery! 🌊🔬

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 9:00am-2:00pm
📍 212 Rogers Avenue, Milford, CT

Join NOAA for a hands-on science adventure at the Milford Lab Open House! Explore an active fisheries lab, meet real scientists, and discover how our research supports shellfish aquaculture and the local ecosystem.

👩‍🔬 Highlights include:
🦀 Touch tanks with animal ambassadors from Long Island Sound
🎨 Fish printing & seaweed pressing
⚗️ Ocean chemistry experiments
🧬 NEW: Oyster health project + bracelet-making activity to help detect disease DNA!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for families, community groups, and curious minds of all ages. Kids get a passport to stamp at each station—fill it up for a sticker prize!

📸 From horseshoe crabs to mussel shells, science comes alive through interactive exhibits and friendly experts ready to answer your questions. Hope to see you there!

📣 I am THIS old…
I taught sight words with these legendary cards from 1998.
Not an app. Not a smartboard. Just me, a sharpie marker, and a dream. 🧼🖊️✨

Behold: the mighty “Stop” card.
Used for:
✔️ Reading fluency
✔️ Behavior management
✔️ My own sanity

Raise your hand if you ever dramatically flashed this card at a kindergartner like you were directing airport traffic. 🛑🛫

Bonus points if you yelled “STOP! Hammer time!” at least once during a lesson. 😂